Cook County and Chicago Bar Foundation Announce Recipients of $180K in Outreach Grants to Community Based Organizations
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Read the full, published press release.
[COOK COUNTY, IL] – Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Bar Foundation Executive Director Bob Glaves announced the recipients of $180k worth of outreach grants to 24 community-based organizations across Cook County. The grants will fund community outreach efforts for Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD). CCLAHD is a county-wide initiative aimed at helping residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues through free legal aid, mediation services, case management and connections to resources.
“Cook County launched CCLAHD to assist our residents facing issues surrounding evictions, foreclosures, and debt,” said President Preckwinkle. “And while we’ve seen success for residents in the program, all of us need to come together to reach out to folks to let them know about the available resources – that’s where our community partners come in. We’re proud to partner with folks on the ground to get the word out about CCLAHD to our residents in greatest need.”
Launched in November 2020, CCLAHD provides free services for tenants and landlords dealing with evictions, property owners who are behind on their mortgage payments or property taxes, and creditors or debtors with issues related to consumer debt. Services are provided free to participants regardless of income and are available in all languages. Participants are welcome to enroll regardless of nationality or documentation status.
“We are proud to work with these dedicated community partners, who will play an integral role in CCLAHD’s success,” Glaves said. “Not only will these partners get the word out to the people of Cook County who are most in need of these services, they also will give the Court and other program partners invaluable feedback on how we can continue to improve the program to be responsive to resident needs.”
The grants range from $4k to $12k and will be used to fund on-the-ground outreach and community education to communities most impacted by evictions, foreclosures, and debt. The organizations are crucial to this work as they are trusted hubs in their communities and will be able to reach county residents that may not otherwise have knowledge of or access to programs like CCLAHD. Organizations will also serve as a theory to practice bridge, providing invaluable knowledge and feedback regarding the efficacy of the program as residents navigate through it.
"CCLAHD is part of a comprehensive and holistic approach to recovery today and thriving communities tomorrow. I am grateful for the County's ongoing collaboration with community organizations that work day-in and day-out with the residents who need CCLAHD services most. These partnerships will empower more residents to receive free legal representation, payment mediation, and support services to stay housed and out of bankruptcy," said 14th District Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton.
Recipients include:
Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance
Chicago Community and Workers Rights
Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)
Far South Community Development Corporation
Garfield Park Community Council
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Oak Park Regional Housing Center
PASO - West Suburban Action Project
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
Telpochcalli Community Education Project (TCEP)
Access to Care (Suburban Primary Health Care Council / DBA: Access to Care)
C24/7 Father's Arms Ministries
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)
Neighborhood Housing Services- Chicago
With substantial in-kind contributions from Cook County, the Circuit Court, the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), and other program partners, CCLAHD has already successfully served more than 15,000 County residents in need. To learn more about CCLAHD programs, please visit www.cookcountylegalaid.org or call 855-956-5763.
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Cook County is the second largest county in the United States representing 5.2 million residents in Illinois. The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cook County and oversees the Offices Under the President and presides as president of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
